I don't. I can never get enough of a rival losing in the playoffs.
My 2 cents.......I think the only time I would ever feel sorry for a team and their fans would be a situation like the Cleveland Browns. Where they are so pathetic, that it's almost a joke level. And any city that might lose their team.
The Caps??!?! They finished higher than us, they did plenty of winning in the regular season. Playoff time, not rooting for either CBJ or Wash. Whichever loses, I will rejoice in that. The winner? boooooooooo, haha. But someone has to win it.
I think of the two takes, the Caps would much rather have my POV from a rival fan. As pity? That just feels waaaaay worse, imo, than "rival hate". And usually comes from a rival fan when their "belly is full", haha. Which makes the pity, even worse.